Modified Track Layouts

The old Ravine Flyer at Waldameer Park in Erie, Pa., used to cross over the "ravine," where a busy highway took visitors down to the Presque Isle beaches. Someone stood up and fell out, was struck by a passing car and died. So Waldameer cut the ride in half. Where one track went across the ravine and the other came back, they spliced the two into a curve and now the much smaller Comet is self contained on the station side of the ravine. They pulled up the tracks on the far side, where it used to race through the woods very much like the Legend. For a long time the steel girder bridge still spanned the ravine, but when they widened the highway to four lanes they took it out.

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Rob Ascough said:
Hercules saw no changes to its layout during its tenure at Dorney

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That is 100% not true. Hercules' second drop was modified in the offseason between the 92' and 93' season. After they added the the trims to the first drop they found that the train would barely make it up the triple up after the lake turn. They reprofiled the drop under the station turning it from a triple up to a double up with a slight ramp. The height was lowered maybe 5-8 feet, nothing drastic. Dorney lowered the hill, but the scars from where the triple up used to go can be seen in this pic. http://eastcoaster.com/images/Dorney/dpcm2003/herccm.jpg They lowered the hill but left the supports that supported the hill.

MattScott, you are also correct about what you said. In total that drop was actually lowered twice. It was lowered after the trims were added and it was slightly lowered after its initial opening to keep the speed of the ride consistent. I have heard several people tell a story about the train failing to make it up the hill after the lake turn on media day. It was lowered shortly after like I said to keep the speed consistent.

Dante, the resident Hercules expert ;) If anyone is interested, Dorney is selling Hercules pins with the original logo of Hercules on a horse swooping around the turnaround for 3 bux.

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This space will forever be dedicated to Hercules at Dorney Park 5/89-9/03
*** This post was edited by DorneyDante 10/23/2003 7:58:31 PM ***

Personally, I would like to see Cedar Point's Corkscrew have its track modified. With some fancy footwork, instead of making that left hand turn into the brakerun, they could add a few more elements. Maybe a boomerang inversion element, a bunny hop, and a helix to finish it out.

Granted, it wouldn't turn this coaster into an all-star, but it could make it a lot more fun. Most people love this ride, but are suprised on how short it is. That second drop provides some of the best airtime of any coaster.

Yeah , I have not been(horrid, I know), but from the POV provided by the website , it seems that corkscrew could do well to have a bunny hop or two on that long stretch of track.

It wouldn't have enough speed to (safely) make it through a boomerang Element.Plus it would ruin the ride's character.

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I'd like to thank the academy , and my mom , and my fans,and.....oh forget it , I hate you all.